October 7, 2010

Crowds gather at Bowie for Obama rally

Bowie -- President Barack Obama is to take the stage at Bowie State University this afternoon to fire up Democrats in Maryland, giving a special nod to Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

Throngs of supporters, many clad in O'Malley-green or Mikulski-red T-shirts have already gathered in an outdoor quadrangle at the historically black college. Meanwhile, Maryland Republicans, in a telephone press conference today, predicted voters will reject the Democratic message.

Obama remains more popular in Maryland than nationally, and seemingly unending security lines at Bowie State show he can still draw a crowd.

Baltimore resident Mike Canady and girlfriend Tisa Silver of nearby Mitchellville, both 31, said the presidential pep rally will help Maryland's Democratic candidates.

"If you can get support from the White House, that's great," Silver said. "Democrats need a swift kick in the butt like this to get out and vote."

Canady, who also attended Obama's inauguration, said he hopes voters will do their own research and come to live events such as this, rather than relying upon questionable candidate advertisements.

"It's really important to hear what everyone has to say," he said.

Earlier this afternoon, Maryland Republican Party Chairwoman Audrey Scott -- a former Bowie mayor -- welcomed Obama to the college but said his policies have failed.

"We are far worse off than we were when O'Malley and Obama took office," she said in a telephone press conference call. She was joined by Republican candidate for Congress Charles Lollar who is angling to unseat House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Lollar accused Hoyer of "following (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi around the country" instead of helping people in his home district. With the still-struggling economy, he added, "this is no time for partisan politics."

Comments

Yeah well all the hype of the great speaking of President Obama may last for a minute, getting only a 12-24 hour news cycle of coverage, however the President won't be at the polls or on the ballot come November 2nd, leaving Maryland Democrats vulnerable for defeat this year! Especially Kratovil and O'Malley!!!

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Annie Linskey covers state politics and government for The Baltimore Sun. Previously, as a City Hall reporter, she wrote about the corruption trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon and kept a close eye on city spending. Originally from Connecticut, Annie has also lived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she reported on war crimes tribunals and landmines. She lives in Canton.

John Fritze has covered politics and government at the local, state and federal levels for more than a decade and is now The Baltimore Sun’s Washington correspondent. He previously wrote about Congress for USA TODAY, where he led coverage of the health care overhaul debate and the 2010 election. A native of Albany, N.Y., he currently lives in Montgomery County.

Julie Scharper covers City Hall and Baltimore politics. A native of Baltimore County, she graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and spent two years teaching in Honduras before joining The Baltimore Sun. She has followed the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pa., in the year after a schoolhouse massacre, reported on courts and crime in Anne Arundel County, and chronicled the unique personalities and places of Baltimore City and its surrounding counties.